Comment by Raithon

Let me just comment on the sheer awesomeness of this quest. Player-exclusive events like this were far and rare in the old days that were pre-BC, and anyone who managed to see this must have been awed. This kind of thing just simply doesn't happen much at all in the old world.

Makes me sad -- I wonder what will become of this in Cataclysm...

Comment by DragonMage

As of 3.3, this quest is available after abandoning it.

I abandoned the quest and had to wait close to 20 minutes before I could click the stone again.

So have some patience or just don't abandon the quest.

Comment by joannamanynames

Does this quest count toward Loremaster of Kalimdor?

Comment by salvo711

Yes, all the Scepter quests do count towards the Loremaster achievement.

Comment by belfonzus

You can feel a great sorrow revolving around this crystal. The force is so powerful that you feel as if you might collapse and die of sadness.

I may just be a sentimental old codger, but having watched the scene, I'm sharing the sorrow of Anachronos and that little crystal.

Comment by Aliok

I strongly recommend doing this quest. Watching the "memory" of what took place to end that War is a unique and epic experience that you will not regret.

Comment by Valdan

Counts towards loremaster Kalimdore

Comment by Cyye

I did this quest today on a server with the gates open obviously. During the quest the gate closes for the cutscene. It turns out there was a group of people who just finished running AQ and were trying to get out as I was in the middle of the cutscene with the gate closed. They couldn't get out and it was a bit comical watching them try and squeeze through a tiny gap on the side of the gate while every now and then seeing a giant mammoth mount's head poke through.

Comment by agoginnabox

Any chance the gong could be banged during this? Since the gates are closed? Or has this been tried?

Comment by Diodor

*** SPOILER ***Since nobody posted it this is the entire dialog:

Quest accepted: A Pawn on the Eternal Board* Anachronos the Ancient says: We must act quickly or all shall be lost!* Fandral Staghelm says: My forces cannot overcome the Qiraji defenses. We will not be able to get close enough to place your precious barrier, dragon.* Merithra of the Dream glances at her compatriots.* Merithra of the Dream says: There is a way...* Arygos nods knowingly.* Caelestrasz says: Aye, Fandral, remember these words: Let not your grief guide your faith. These thoughts you hold... dark places you go, night elf. Absolution cannot be had through misguided vengeance.* Merithra of the Dream says: We will push them back, Anachronos. This I vow. Uphold your end of this task. Let not your hands falter as you seal our fates behind the barrier.* Merithra of the Dream yells: Succumb to the endless dream, little ones. Let it consume you!* Arygos says: Anachronos, this diversion will give you and the young druid time enough to seal the gate. Do not falter. Now, let us see how they deal with chaotic magic.* Arygos yells: Let them feel the wrath of the Blue Flight! May Malygos protect me!* Caelestrasz says: Do not forget the sacrifices made on this day, night elf. We have all suffered immensely at the hands of these beasts.* Caelestrasz yells: Alexstrasza grant me the resolve to drive our enemies back!* Anachronos the Ancient says: NOW, STAGHELM! WE GO NOW! Prepare your magic!* Fandral Staghelm says: It is done, dragon. Lead the way.* Anachronos the Ancient says: Stay close...* Anachronos the Ancient says: FINISH THE SPELL, STAGHELM! I CANNOT HOLD THE GLYPHS OF WARDING IN PLACE MUCH LONGER! CALL FORTH THE ROOTS!* Fandral Staghelm says: Ancient ones guide my hand... Wake from your slumber! WAKE AND SEAL THIS CURSED PLACE!* Fandral Staghelm falls to one knee - exhausted.* Anachronos the Ancient says: It... It is over, Lord Staghelm. We are victorious. Albeit the cost for this victory was great.* Anachronos the Ancient says: There is but one duty that remains...* Anachronos the Ancient says: Before I leave this place, I make one final offering to you, Lord Staghelm. Should a time arise in which you must gain entry to this accursed fortress, use the Scepter of the Shifting Sands on the sacred gong. The magic holding the barrier together will dissipate and the horrors of Ahn'Qiraj will be unleashed upon the world once more.* Anachronos the Ancient hands the Scepter of the Shifting Sands to Fandral Staghelm.* Fandral Staghelm says: After the savagery that my people have witnessed and felt, you expect me to accept another burden, dragon? Surely you are mad.* Fandral Staghelm says: I want nothing to do with Silithus, the Qiraji and least of all, any damned dragons!* Fandral Staghelm hurls the Scepter of the Shifting Sands into the barrier, shattering it.* Anachronos the Ancient says: Lord Staghelm, where are you going? You would shatter our bond for the sake of pride?* Fandral Staghelm says: My son's soul will find no comfort in this hollow victory, dragon. I will have him back. Though it takes a millennia, I WILL have my son back! * Anachronos the Ancient shakes his head in disappointment.* Anachronos the Ancient kneels down to pick up the fragments of the shattered scepter.

Comment by LanceofAbel

I find it strange that Anachronos would be so insensitive. "Hey, guy who just lost his son to a bunch of insect monsters! I think, after everything you've been through, the thing you need the most is the job of watching over those same insects!" And then when Fandral, who's naturally upset and grieving and probably not really interested in dealing with these wretched creatures again, declares he's not interested, Anachronos calls it a betrayal? Seriously, why not just let a grieving father have his time and let a more willing soul shoulder the burden?

A Pawn on the Eternal Board

This quest was marked obsolete by Blizzard and cannot be obtained or completed.

Learn all that you can of the past, then speak with Anachronos at the Caverns of Time in Tanaris.

The War of the Shifting Sands

Description

As you regain your composure and focus your gaze, you notice that something stirs within the crystal. Upon closer inspection, you realize that you are looking into the past... a memory... long forgotten.

After Staghelm's betrayal, I gathered the shattered pieces of the Scepter of the Shifting Sands and returned here. I had every intention of protecting the scepter from those that would seek to use it to cause harm to our world - thus was born the charge of the Dragonflights.

A scepter divided amongst the four mighty Aspects would prove to be nearly impossible to restore for those willfully seeking chaos... or so I thought. What a fool I was. Even now I am hunted by that cursed flight.